District of South Carolina to Prosecute 1 of 14 Major Drug Smuggling Operations

CHARLESTON, S.C. — The U.S. Coast Guard and Department of Homeland Security announced yesterday the seizure of 45,600 pounds of illicit narcotics from smugglers in the Eastern Pacific Ocean worth more than $517 million. One of 14 mentioned interdictions will be prosecuted in the District of South Carolina.

On March 10, the USCGC Stone, utilizing their Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron (HITRON) aircrew, detected a suspect vessel in international waters approximately 234 miles southeast of the Galapagos Islands. The HITRON aircrew employed airborne use of force tactics to stop the vessel, and Stone’s boarding team interdicted the go-fast vessel, apprehended two suspected smugglers and seized approximately 4,000 pounds of cocaine.

The two smugglers aboard the vessel, Carlos Armando Cedeno, 29, and Jorge Augusto Mero Figueroa, 60, both of Ecuador, were arrested. Their case has been transferred to the District of South Carolina for prosecution due to an ongoing international drug trafficking investigation by federal law enforcement in Charleston.

"We’re proud to partner with the Department of Homeland Security and the Coast Guard to combat transnational criminal organizations bringing dangerous narcotics into the U.S,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Brook B. Andrews for the District of South Carolina. “The coordinated effort, culminating in arrests and the transfer of this case to the District of South Carolina, demonstrates the effectiveness of our interagency collaboration in disrupting the flow of illicit narcotics. We will continue to work tirelessly to protect our borders and keep our communities safe."

Cedeno and Figueroa are charged with possession with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine while on board a vessel subject to United States’ jurisdiction; and jettisoning (dumping into ocean) property that is subject to forfeiture under federal drug laws. Both defendants face a maximum penalty of up to life in prison.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Coast Guard with operational leads generated by the Coast Guard Investigative Service’s (CGIS) Transnational Organized Crime (TOC) Division and Southeast Field Office in Miami, Florida who all cooperatively spearheaded efforts against foreign cartel threats along with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).  

Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Lietzow is prosecuting the case for the District of South Carolina.

All charges in the complaint are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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